Red Ribbon Week Teaches Students About Making Smart Choices

Last week Hopatcong Borough Schools offered important life lessons to students during its latest character education observance, Red Ribbon Week.

According to Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Randina, the week featured numerous activities to help children learn about making healthy life choices.

Red Ribbon Week is a national initiative started in 1980 by National Family Partnership, formerly known as the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth. While showing kids the dangers of abusing alcohol and drugs is still a big part of the program, the focus has become more broad, covering newer issues such as texting while driving. Organizers say children now are encouraged to take a thoughtful approach to life in general in order to focus on making intelligent, healthy choices. 

Locally, the message was spread far and wide through the district, Randina said.

Hopatcong elementary students were asked to wear red at the beginning of Red Ribbon Week to show that they are  “Too Smart to Start!”

At Hopatcong Middle School, students wore favorite team jerseys for an exercise called “Team up for Healthy Choices."

At Hopatcong High, New Jersey State Police and Hopatcong Police Department officers facilitated a “Fatal Vision Goggles” assembly during physical education classes. Students had the opportunity to simulate drunk driving 
and texting and driving while wearing goggles that impaired their vision. 

HBS officials said the week provided positive lessons for Hopatcong public school children that the district hopes will last a lifetime.

Randina offered thanks to educators, staff and students who helped plan  activities for the special week.